Sen. Hertel Secures Funding for Transformational Projects to Improve Quality of Life for District 12 Residents 

Investments secured by Sen. Hertel will upgrade water infrastructure, bolster public safety  

In June, the Michigan Legislature passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which is to begin October 1. Included in this historic, bipartisan budget was significant funding Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) secured for several priorities of residents throughout his lakeshore district, including investments to upgrade water infrastructure, keep communities safe, support students and more.

“This is a budget that was designed with a focus on people. Michigan’s working families, veterans and youth will see the impacts of these investments for decades to come,” said Sen. Hertel. “From Harper Woods to Harsens Island — this budget invests in the things residents need: clean water, good roads, safe communities, excellent schools and much more.”

Having spent months meeting with and listening to constituents, local leaders and community organizations, Hertel advocated for state dollars to be targeted in a meaningful way — going to projects in District 12 that would have the biggest impact on the local economy and residents’ everyday lives.

“I am especially grateful for the significant investments that will directly impact our community, including Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the Macomb County Jail Intake project and water infrastructure projects throughout the district,” said Sen. Hertel. “These dollars will help ensure our community can prepare for the needs of tomorrow and show that our community’s leadership is proactive in problem solving.” 

Water Quality and Water Infrastructure 

Not only is Lake St. Clair a way of life, but a source of great economic opportunity for communities across District 12 — especially given that marinas, restaurants and other waterfront businesses depend on its health. But for too long, crumbling infrastructure has sent sewage into Lake St. Clair and basements during heavy rains, threatening the health and livelihoods of residents. In the FY ‘24 budget, Hertel advocated to make critical investments in clean water infrastructure to improve residents’ quality of life, protect waterways and support the local economy.

Funding secured by Hertel for water infrastructure projects include: 

• $5 million for the Chesterfield Interceptor to proactively address aging infrastructure in order to avoid catastrophes like sinkholes. 
• $5 million for the Saint Clair Shores Martin Drain District to address combined sewer overflows and prevent millions of gallons of wastewater from flowing into Lake St. Clair and contributing to beach closures and harmful algal blooms. 
• $2 million for Harsens Island Water Infrastructure to make critical updates to the island’s wastewater system to protect waterways and improve residents’ quality of life. This funding will be used for a batch wastewater treatment plant that will revitalize the Sans Souci district and allow small businesses to thrive.
  

Public Safety

First responders constantly put their lives in harm’s way to ensure the safety and well-being of others. As Chair of the Senate Military, Veterans, State Police Appropriations Subcommittee, Hertel met with police officers, firefighters and other public safety officials during the months-long budget process to ensure the Legislature understood and were able to meet their evolving needs. He also worked closely with local leaders such as Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel to secure funding to make transformational investments in the criminal justice system and expand mental health supports.

Funding secured by Hertel to bolster public safety efforts include: 

• $13 million for Selfridge Air National Guard Base (ANGB) to reroute the runway and make other updates necessary for the Harrison Township base to compete for next generation aircraft and future fighter missions. 
• $40 million for the Macomb County Intake Facility to construct a new central intake and mental health unit, among other upgrades, allowing the county jail to provide better mental and physical health outcomes for those who come in contact with the criminal justice system. 
• $500,000 for the Mt. Clemens Fire Department to allow the Mt. Clemens Fire Department to purchase a new fire truck, giving them the opportunity to retire a vehicle at the end of its life span.

Education 

As the father of two boys, Hertel understands the importance of making sure all young Michiganders can receive the best education possible. From expanding Pre-K opportunities to providing students with more access to hands-on experience in the classroom — Hertel is fighting to prioritize school funding so children in his lakeshore district and across Michigan can have a promising future. 

In addition to voting for the largest per-pupil funding increase in state history which will provide schools in District 12 with an additional $41 million, Hertel fought to secure: 

• $1.25 million for the Lake Shore Early Childhood and Community Center to help support renovations to the physical infrastructure of the center, adding community and adult education spaces, in addition to revitalizing the existing early childhood and administration areas, and improving overall safety and accessibility of the center. 
• $1 million for Harper Woods Public Schools to expand their Career and Technical Education program and continue providing students with opportunities to develop and apply their academic and industry-based skills in real-world experiences. 

Community Revitalization 

Expanded access to affordable housing and recreational opportunities helps to build and strengthen our communities. With many Michigan homeowners and renters facing challenges when looking for affordable housing, it is critical to invest in creative solutions to the problem. Additionally, increased accessibility to recreational spaces allows families and children to experience the outdoors and have places embedded in their communities that build a sense of belonging and connectedness. In the FY ’24 budget, Hertel worked with community partners to identify meaningful projects to uplift communities across District 12 by investing in housing and shared outdoor spaces.

Funding secured by Hertel to revitalize local communities include: 

• $5 million for Housing Development in Mt. Clemens to revitalize an old building in the city center and provide new housing opportunities for young people looking to make their home in Macomb. 
• $5 million for Lake St. Clair Metropark’s North Marina to support a large-scale renovation of the park and its water access. The funds will be used to extend the life of the seawall another 30 years and, with additional support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, will ensure that the park’s marina will be accessible for people with disabilities and ready for families to enjoy. 
• $1 million for the cities of Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Grosse Pointe Park to come together and build a co-designed future for Mack Avenue, including green design, pedestrian-friendly corridors, and high-density, mixed-use zoning. Explore the future of this project here. 
• $200,000 for a Pocket Park in Harper Woods, affording young people in Harper Woods the opportunity to have a neighborhood park within walking distance from where they live and play. 

Read more from Senator Kevin Hertel at SenatorKevinHertel.com/press.